Lisa Maxwell quits The Bill

The actress, who has played popular DI Samantha Nixon in the ITV cop show for seven years, made the announcement just a week after ITV confirmed that The Bill was being cut to one episode a week and moved to a 9pm time slot.

Lisa said in a statement: “I’ve loved every minute of my seven years on The Bill, but feel that I have taken the character of Sam as far as I can, and that it is time to move on to new challenges.

“I think that when people start referring to you as the ‘longest-standing female cast member’ it is probably time to take the hint!

She added: “It is an honour to have been part of a show that has been on our screens for 25 years to date, and it has of course been a difficult decision for me, but I am excited about what lies ahead and will leave with happy memories of a wonderful team.

“I wish them the very best of luck.”

Lisa will film her last scenes this summer to be broadcast in September.